This week Bro. Leo continues our study of the “be attitudes” with a study on what Paul meant by “let us cleanse ourselves”.

There are three elements of purifying our hearts, 1) confession – audibly telling God He is right and we did wrong, 2) Godly sorrow – being truly distraught about committing the sin, knowing the sin we committed was laid on Jesus at Calvary 3) true repentance – from the Greek word “metanoia” = a change in a persons mind, concerning a certain sin, that results in a change of this sinful action from sinful activity to righteous activity. “metanoia” (repentance) involves our mind and our actions.

Cleansing is an act of God, confessing is an act of ours.  God can not do His part until we do our part.  Confession leads us to Godly sorrow, Godly sorrow leads us to repentance, the power of repentance delivers us from that particular sin and we will not regret not committing that sin again (2Cor.7:10).

There are two areas of sin.  1) sin of the flesh, outward acts of the body  2) sins of the mind and spirit, sinful thoughts, envy, lust, covetousness, etc.  We are to confess “all sin” (2Cor.7:1).

In James 4:5-8 we see a list of what our part of “cleansing” is:
1) confess (submit to God) vs.7
2) resist the devil, recognize when the devil comes against us, vs.7
3) draw nigh to God, seek God

In Psalm 19:11-14 we find the prayer to accomplish James 4:5-8.

If we are not confessing our sin daily, it is because we are comfortable with it to the point of not feeling the need to confess it, but if we confess our sin daily we will start taking notice of even more sin that we are committing because we will be cleansed of the other sin that was blocking our vision.

Scriptures used in today’s message:

2Co 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

1Jn 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
1Jn 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
1Jn 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1Jn 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

2Co 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
2Co 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
2Co 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
2Co 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Jas 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Jas 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Jas 4:5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
Jas 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Psa 19:11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
Psa 19:12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
Psa 19:13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
Psa 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

1Co 5:1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife.
1Co 5:2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
1Co 5:6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
1Co 5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
1Co 5:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.